Patrick Kane 2.0 in other words.

Re: attitude, how long does a team have to suck before a guy can start to have an attitude that is considered poopty? Windows of prime years in the NHL are so short, you can't blame a little frustration.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Yeah, Kane is another good example.

I think Eichel is a great player but a poopty leader. Problem is that when you’re the C, your poor leadership will outshine your good play.

That seems pretty speculative... Eichel is still a premium talent, and if you had to list 3 NHL teams where it would be hardest to make everyone around you better, that list would have Buffalo written in 3 different fonts. Not to mention that he's only 24... Hedman and Stamkos didn't have the "hard-working elite player" reputation at that age either. Character assassination is such an easy thing... look at Turris, who people thought was some kind of problem child because he didn't like how the Coyotes were developing him. What was he really? A guy who knew he could be better with the right opportunity, who was also a tremendous teammate, with had an amazingly charitable nature. So if Eichel is half the competitor that many people have suggested, how could he not be frustrated with the direction of the Sabres organization? And is that really a character flaw?
- khawk

You might be entirely correct. If, for example, Eichel got put into the environment of Boston, I do not doubt he would find his niche and would be a highly valued asset. There is already a clear leadership structure and Eichel would find his right fit.

The Sens have a young leadership that is just emerging and beginning to find itself. It would be far more difficult for Eichel to find his place. I feel the same about other teams, especially the Rangers. Rangers are also a young team, just beginning to appreciate the depth and quality of their young assets.

It’s Mete. Not Mette. You’ve been consistently misspelling his name for a few blogs now. Do you not even know the names of the players on the team you are covering? Bush league, bruh.

It’s Mete. Not Mette. You’ve been consistently misspelling his name for a few blogs now. Do you not even know the names of the players on the team you are covering? Bush league, bruh.
- PavohnDatsvares

- sensarmy_11

I just wish we had a writer on this site that could string together a proper sentence, and who knows the names of the guys on our team. But we are stuck with Kevin “Ek” Francis.

I just wish we had a writer on this site that could string together a proper sentence, and who knows the names of the guys on our team. But we are stuck with Kevin “Ek” Francis.
- PavohnDatsvares

What is wrong with you. Give the guy a chance. He has had a nice start. Beginning to lose patience with the back biters who seem less interested in hockey and more interested in playing the role of fact and spell checkers.

Look at game one of last season, take note of the roster. Then look at the final game of the season and take note of the roster. If you can't see a youth movement happening, I am not sure what to tell you.

You can't just plug and play every young guy. Each guy has their own developmental curve. Patients is key.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Crap this a rebuild not a landing spot for washed up veteran players. If DJ wants to win so bad he should be somewhere else. What's the benefit of 10 or 12 more points in the standings if you're still at the bottom of the league. The garbage vets they've been signing in the past 2+ years would not be as good as the prospects would be after 2 years of NHL experience. In 3 years from now we'll still be talking about the same thing.

Crap this a rebuild not a landing spot for washed up veteran players. If DJ wants to win so bad he should be somewhere else. What's the benefit of 10 or 12 more points in the standings if you're still at the bottom of the league. The garbage vets they've been signing in the past 2+ years would not be as good as the prospects would be after 2 years of NHL experience. In 3 years from now we'll still be talking about the same thing.
- granpa

the garbage vets served 2 purpose, 1: allows the prospects to develop properly in the AHL 2: help OTT lose to get better draft ranking, now those prospects are in the NHL and the team is ready to start to come out of the rebuild, no more need for those types of vets, Del Zotto will be Chabot's Partner IMO until they feel that JBD is ready

the garbage vets served 2 purpose, 1: allows the prospects to develop properly in the AHL 2: help OTT lose to get better draft ranking, now those prospects are in the NHL and the team is ready to start to come out of the rebuild, no more need for those types of vets, Del Zotto will be Chabot's Partner IMO until they feel that JBD is ready
- Mithos

Sweet Jesus, I hope not... are they trying to break Chabot's mind? Three years of playing with Zaitsev, Gudbranson, and Del Zotto is not what you do to someone you care about, even remotely. Honestly, who looks at the empty #2 d-man spot on their roster, and thinks "oh good, the 31 year-old #6 d-man on the 5th worst team in the league is available"? Better jump all over that on Day 1 of free agency.

Del Zotto is a half-decent 3rd pairing upgrade on Mete/Brown, and he might be able to chip in on the 2nd PP unit, but anything more would be a major over-estimation of his ability.

https://twitter.com/sungarrioch/ Anyone know why Garrioch doesn't have a twitter anymore?

What is wrong with you. Give the guy a chance. He has had a nice start. Beginning to lose patience with the back biters who seem less interested in hockey and more interested in playing the role of fact and spell checkers.
- spatso

I’m not spell-checking him. That would be a full-time job. I’m just pointing out that along with his lazy writing and careless lack of proof reading his disastrous pieces, he doesn’t even care enough to check a player’s name. That’s straight lazy.

Fact is, he’s a terrible writer. And most certainly has NOT, “had a nice start.”

I’m not spell-checking him. That would be a full-time job. I’m just pointing out that along with his lazy writing and careless lack of proof reading his disastrous pieces, he doesn’t even care enough to check a player’s name. That’s straight lazy.

Fact is, he’s a terrible writer. And most certainly has NOT, “had a nice start.”
- PavohnDatsvares

So, I guess you have some options to consider.

Why would you want to continue following something you obviously do not enjoy? Have you thought about moving on to something that is more to your speed and liking?

I’m not spell-checking him. That would be a full-time job. I’m just pointing out that along with his lazy writing and careless lack of proof reading his disastrous pieces, he doesn’t even care enough to check a player’s name. That’s straight lazy.

Fact is, he’s a terrible writer. And most certainly has NOT, “had a nice start.”
- PavohnDatsvares

You have registered your dissatisfaction. Now it is time to move on or quit your female doging.

I’m not spell-checking him. That would be a full-time job. I’m just pointing out that along with his lazy writing and careless lack of proof reading his disastrous pieces, he doesn’t even care enough to check a player’s name. That’s straight lazy.

Fact is, he’s a terrible writer. And most certainly has NOT, “had a nice start.”
- PavohnDatsvares

then stop reading and go to another site.....i think pretty much everyone here is sick of hearing you whine about it.

move on or GTFO

I’m not spell-checking him. That would be a full-time job. I’m just pointing out that along with his lazy writing and careless lack of proof reading his disastrous pieces, he doesn’t even care enough to check a player’s name. That’s straight lazy.

Fact is, he’s a terrible writer. And most certainly has NOT, “had a nice start.”
- PavohnDatsvares

I would actually hope that you choose to stay with us. We need folks who want to talk about all things Sens and hockey. Why don't you just take a break for a short period? Clear your head. Come back soon and enjoy the chance to share opinions with other like minded Sens fans. I look forward to reading your hockey views.

Typical Sens "Dog and Pony Show". The Sens promo machine has all the Ottawa media buzzing about the Sens big acquisition Michael Del Zotto. They've been doing the same thing for the past 2 seasons and it works.
- granpa

Well, it's marketing. It's their job to spin whatever signing into something positive.

Why would you want to continue following something you obviously do not enjoy? Have you thought about moving on to something that is more to your speed and liking?
- spatso

On that one, I agree. Your displeasure's been noted. Consistent railing isn't going to improve things and dumping on him is probably not going to boost his morale.

I'm just happy we have someone covering our team again.

The Ottawa Senators brought in/back 3 players

D Victor Mete
D Nick Holden
D Michael Del Zotto

ALL D-men. ALL left shot. ALL not top 3D-men and truly not top 4D.

Why is this significant? Erik Brannstrom.

Brannstrom is not going to be given his spot; he will have to earn it big time. In other words, Brannstrom has to play out 2 out of the 3, and likely all 3 at some point.

Thomas Chabot - Artem Zub
[Vacant Slot 1] - Nikita Zaitsev
[Vacant Slot 2] - Josh Brown/Jacob Bernard Docker

I personally think Ottawa should put Brannstrom with Zub and try Bernard Docker with Chabot sometimes*. Sens need at least 1 of Brannstrom or JBD to take huge strides this year. If both do - they are coming in under a lot of people's radar. They also could help move the puck up a lot better this year

The Ottawa Senators brought in/back 3 players

D Victor Mete
D Nick Holden
D Michael Del Zotto

ALL D-men. ALL left shot. ALL not top 3D-men and truly not top 4D.

Why is this significant? Erik Brannstrom.

Brannstrom is not going to be given his spot; he will have to earn it big time. In other words, Brannstrom has to play out 2 out of the 3, and likely all 3 at some point.

Thomas Chabot - Artem Zub

- AlfieisKing[Vacant Slot 1] - Nikita Zaitsev
[Vacant Slot 2] - Josh Brown/Jacob Bernard Docker

I personally think Ottawa should put Brannstrom with Zub and try Bernard Docker with Chabot sometimes*. Sens need at least 1 of Brannstrom or JBD to take huge strides this year. If both do - they are coming in under a lot of people's radar. They also could help move the puck up a lot better this year

Branny was going to lose that spot anyways the second Sanderson arrives.....Mete is a good stop gap, who can be moved to the 3rd pairing when Sandy shows up.

Brannstrom still has value, better to use him to acquire a top six forward, than to waste his skills on a bottom pairing.

I suspect that next year (22/23) our D will be

Chabot - Zub
Sanderson - JBD
Mete - Zaitsev

MDZ/Brown/Thomson

The Ottawa Senators brought in/back 3 players

D Victor Mete
D Nick Holden
D Michael Del Zotto

ALL D-men. ALL left shot. ALL not top 3D-men and truly not top 4D.

Why is this significant? Erik Brannstrom.

Brannstrom is not going to be given his spot; he will have to earn it big time. In other words, Brannstrom has to play out 2 out of the 3, and likely all 3 at some point.

Thomas Chabot - Artem Zub

- AlfieisKing[Vacant Slot 1] - Nikita Zaitsev
[Vacant Slot 2] - Josh Brown/Jacob Bernard Docker

I personally think Ottawa should put Brannstrom with Zub and try Bernard Docker with Chabot sometimes*. Sens need at least 1 of Brannstrom or JBD to take huge strides this year. If both do - they are coming in under a lot of people's radar. They also could help move the puck up a lot better this year

With both Sanderson and Chabot, there is not a big need for Brannstrom's skillset. I think that the organization will look to use him in a package for either a center or forward.
Considering that the future D core of Chabot, Sanderson, JBD and Thomson are not particularly large by defenceman standards, I think the organization will look to fill out the D-core with size/toughness. Tyler Kleven helps fill that need on the third D pairing.
I like Brannstrom. He has loads of talent. I just don't see a long term fit on the team.

Brannstrom still has value, better to use him to acquire a top six forward, than to waste his skills on a bottom pairing.

- sensarmy_11

Agreed.

Agreed.
- SensFan25

The question is how to best to manage such a trade. Do you trade Brannstrom now, before the start of the year? He certainly still has value, but I'd say less than when Dorion aquire him.

Or do you play him for part of the year show casing his emerging talent, hoping for a break out to get a better return.

New piece up!

The question is how to best to manage such a trade. Do you trade Brannstrom now, before the start of the year? He certainly still has value, but I'd say less than when Dorion aquire him.

Or do you play him for part of the year show casing his emerging talent, hoping for a break out to get a better return.
- david22

If he does get traded it means we are bringing in a truly elite player in return, him in a package with a 1st, Abramov and Colin White for a player like E Petersson who we can lock in long term.

I think you are all underestimating this kid and how much the team/coach values him, equating smaller size with coach displeasure when the numbers don`t back up your arguments. His ice time increased, a lot, at the end of the season as the team got hot, increasing from 15 to 18 minutes/game in Jan/Feb up to 22 to 24 minutes per game in games for April to May as they started winning more regularly. He was a + player and drove offensive zone possession when on the ice. A 21 year old will make bad or rookie plays occasionally, but as the year progressed he became MORE trusted by DJ Smith, not less.

Not sure where the lines of evidence for how he`s in the dog house come from, especially considering Brannstrom has said, and shown, he enjoys and is more comfortable playing on his off-stick side than on the left-side of the blue line, where all the other D-men acquired play better.

What’s disappointing is how you all accept this hack’s terrible work. I’m not sorry I expect a competent writer to cover our beloved team. And, no. I’m not gonna go somewhere else because I don’t like Kevin. I’ve been on this site for several years. I’m not gonna leave because our new writer sucks and I have the balls to call him out. When the guy can’t even spell the names of the guys on our team, I’m gonna point out his incompetence… every time.

Satan himself could become the next Sens writer, and you’d all just eat it up.